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JACKSONVILLE -- It wasn’t a game-winning touchdown catch, but it sure felt like it to Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Up by three points with two minutes left in the game on third-and-5 from their own 13-yard line, Brock Osweiler threw what head coach Bill O'Brien called his best throw of the game, a 10-yard slant to Hopkins. Hopkins emphatically held the ball out to signify a first down, the throw essentially clinching the 24-21 victory for the Texans over the Jacksonville Jaguars, improving their AFC South-leading record to 6-3. Though Hopkins wouldn’t take all the credit for the game-clinching play, he did call the 10-yard grab “the clutchest catch of the game.” “We knew that was a play that was going to be automatic if the game came down to it,” Hopkins said.  Though Osweiler and Hopkins were able to connect to seal the Texans' win, the two weren't able to do so for most of the game. Osweiler targeted Hopkins 13 times, but that was just the receiver's fifth catch of the day. The Jaguars were able to cover him well by having No. 3 overall pick cornerback Jalen Ramsey follow him all game.
“We’re not looking for connections, we’re looking for wins," O'Brien said. "Whatever it takes to win the game, so if it involves 20 catches to Hopkins then great. I’m sure DeAndre will tell you the thing that he cares about the most is winning. So that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to win these games the way we think they need to be won.” But Osweiler’s struggles were not just trying to get the ball to Hopkins, he wasn't connecting with others too. With rookie receiver Will Fuller inactive due to a leg injury, Hopkins’ 13 targets were by far the most of any Texans receiver. Braxton Miller had two targets, and with wide receiver Jaelen Strong also inactive, Osweiler once again went to his three tight ends often. The trio -- C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin and Stephen Anderson -- combined for seven catches for 40 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets. The longest play was a 13-yard catch by Fiedorowicz. Osweiler finished the game 14-for-27 for 99 yards and two touchdowns. For only the second game this season, he did not throw an interception. For the first time this season, though, Osweiler failed to eclipse 100 passing yards. While this may have worked against the last-place Jaguars, Osweiler will need to play better to beat the red-hot Oakland Raiders on Monday night in Mexico City. While his statistics weren’t good, as they haven’t been for most games this season, Osweiler said he was just happy to leave Jacksonville with the win. "As long as there is a win on the end of that [stat line], sign me up every single week."
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